Senate Republican Conference

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“Providing our troops with the resources they need to keep our nation safe is one of Congress’ most important responsibilities.”

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report, legislation that will provide our military with the largest pay increase since 2010 and make reforms to defense acquisition, military health care, military justice, and security cooperation.

“Providing our troops with the resources they need to keep our nation safe is one of Congress’ most important responsibilities,” said Thune. “After extensive bipartisan work in the House and Senate, we are sending the president a bill that provides troops with the pay raise they deserve and includes reforms to make our military more efficient and effective. I urge the president to put our troops first and sign this bill without delay.”

For information on sexual assault prevention reforms in the NDAA from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which Thune serves as chairman, click here. To see Senator Thune’s comments about a provision that will fix statutory language that negatively affects the Impact Aid program in states across the country, including South Dakota, click here.

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The Obama Legacy: A Stagnant Economy

November 7, 2016

President Obama’s economic legacy includes: The weakest recovery in at least 60 years. Only president to not achieve at least one year of 3 percent real GDP growth. Millions out of the workforce. Federal debt that has nearly doubled. Under Obama a slew of burdensome government regulations have weighed down businesses and discouraged job growth. Americans deserve better. The Republican-led Senate will continue to advance policies that promote job growth and create...

President Obama’s economic legacy includes:

The weakest recovery in at least 60 years.

Only president to not achieve at least one year of 3 percent real GDP growth.

Millions out of the workforce.

Federal debt that has nearly doubled.

Under Obama a slew of burdensome government regulations have weighed down businesses and discouraged job growth.

Americans deserve better. The Republican-led Senate will continue to advance policies that promote job growth and create better opportunities for Americans.

The Obamacare Legacy: Higher Costs, Fewer Choices

November 4, 2016

While trying to sell his health care plan to the American people, President Obama famously promised that he would lower health care costs by $2,500 per family. That was the claim. Here’s the reality: Customers on the Obamacare exchanges are facing staggering premium hikes for 2017. The average increase for a benchmark silver plan is expected to be 25 percent. Obamacare premiums are so expensive that many Americans can’t afford to fully make use of their plan after they get it...

Customers on the Obamacare exchanges are facing staggering premium hikes for 2017. The average increase for a benchmark silver plan is expected to be 25 percent. Obamacare premiums are so expensive that many Americans can’t afford to fully make use of their plan after they get it.

And on top of skyrocketing costs, Americans are facing fewer choices. Americans in many parts of the country will have only one insurer to pick from when signing up for health care coverage on the Obamacare exchanges for 2017.

Even some Democrats are starting to face the fact that the health care law they pushed through Congress is hurting rather than helping Americans. Too many other Democrats, however, are doubling down on the law, despite its many failures.

Americans deserve better. It’s time to replace this law with real health care reform that will actually drive down costs and increase access to care.

The Obamacare Legacy: Higher Costs, Fewer Choices

November 4, 2016

Americans deserve better. It’s time to replace this law with real health care reform that will actually drive down costs and increase access to care.

What Is the National Defense Authorization Act?

June 14, 2016

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides much-needed resources for our troops and their families. The NDAA modernizes the military health system to provide our wounded warriors, military service members, retirees, and their families with higher-quality care, better access to care, and a better experience of care. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best possible care, and the NDAA provides funding and resources to help make that care a reality. The NDAA passed ...

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides much-needed resources for our troops and their families.

The NDAA modernizes the military health system to provide our wounded warriors, military service members, retirees, and their families with higher-quality care, better access to care, and a better experience of care.

Our men and women in uniform deserve the best possible care, and the NDAA provides funding and resources to help make that care a reality.

The NDAA passed out of the Armed Services Committee with significant bipartisan support and meets the funding level the president requested in his 2017 budget. Despite this, Democrats continue to threaten to hold up the legislation. There is no reason for Democrats to keep this bill from moving forward aside from partisan politics.

The NDAA increases combat and troop pay and provides for the personnel and equipment necessary to combat ISIS and threats around the world.

It also contains sweeping reforms necessary to harness American innovation and preserve our military’s technological edge.

This bill would provide the first major update to Pentagon organization in 30 years, which will help improve the development of defense strategy.

Bottom line: The NDAA funds our troops and their families.

The Obama Economy

May 5, 2016

The American people deserve better than what the sluggish Obama recovery is delivering. During the first three months of 2016, our economy grew by just 0.5 percent, which simply isn’t enough to improve opportunities for middle-class Americans who feel they can’t get ahead. President Obama has continued to make big promises and insist his policies are working, but his rhetoric does not match the reality that many are experiencing. The deluge of burdensome mandates and regula...

The American people deserve better than what the sluggish Obama recovery is delivering.

During the first three months of 2016, our economy grew by just 0.5 percent, which simply isn’t enough to improve opportunities for middle-class Americans who feel they can’t get ahead. President Obama has continued to make big promises and insist his policies are working, but his rhetoric does not match the reality that many are experiencing.

The deluge of burdensome mandates and regulations during the Obama administration stands in stark contrast to the pro-growth agenda of the Republican Senate, which remains focused on policies that promote job growth and create better opportunities for Americans.

Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act

May 4, 2016

The Senate-passed FAA reauthorization bill includes strong, new security measures that address the threat ISIS and other terrorist groups pose to airline passengers. The bipartisan legislation includes several measures to bolster airport security for passengers and addresses growing cybersecurity threats facing aviation and air navigation systems. The legislation was described in the Washington Post as “one of the most passenger-friendly FAA reauthorization bills in a generatio...

The Senate-passed FAA reauthorization bill includes strong, new security measures that address the threat ISIS and other terrorist groups pose to airline passengers.

The bipartisan legislation includes several measures to bolster airport security for passengers and addresses growing cybersecurity threats facing aviation and air navigation systems.

The legislation was described in the Washington Post as “one of the most passenger-friendly FAA reauthorization bills in a generation” due to its robust, new consumer protections.

GOP-Led Senate Working for Americans

May 3, 2016

The GOP-led Senate is continuing to work to pass legislation that strengthens our economic security and national security. In the first four months of 2016, the Senate passed significant, bipartisan legislation that: Combats the nation's opioid epidemic (CARA) Strengthens sanctions on North Korea Stopstaxation of the Internet (ITFA) Modernizes America's energy policies for the first time in eight years (EPMA) Protects American companies' trade secrets I...

The GOP-led Senate is continuing to work to pass legislation that strengthens our economic security and national security.

In the first four months of 2016, the Senate passed significant, bipartisan legislation that:

Combats the nation's opioid epidemic (CARA)

Strengthens sanctions on North Korea

Stopstaxation of the Internet (ITFA)
Modernizes America's energy policies for the first time in eight years (EPMA)

Protects American companies' trade secrets

It is clear that under Republican leadership, the Senate is working hard for Americans.

Giving the American People a Voice on the Supreme Court

May 2, 2016

President Obama and the U.S. Senate are divided on what direction to take the country. Instead of spending time on an issue we can’t agree on, we should tackle the issues where we can find common ground – like getting our economy moving again and keeping America safe. The last time the American people spoke, they elected a Republican Senate to be a check and balance to President Obama and his left-wing agenda. The next Supreme Court justice could dramatically change the direct...

President Obama and the U.S. Senate are divided on what direction to take the country.

Instead of spending time on an issue we can’t agree on, we should tackle the issues where we can find common ground – like getting our economy moving again and keeping America safe.

The last time the American people spoke, they elected a Republican Senate to be a check and balance to President Obama and his left-wing agenda. The next Supreme Court justice could dramatically change the direction of the court. The American people deserve to have a voice in the direction the court will take for decades to come.

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“Passing the Obamacare repeal resolution means the Republican-led Senate has begun delivering on the promises we made to the American people.”

“Abstaining from today's United Nations vote is one more slap in the face from the Obama administration to our ally, Israel.”

“Providing our troops with the resources they need to keep our nation safe is one of Congress’ most important responsibilities.”

“Today the Senate delivered a victory for the American people with passage of the 21st Century Cures Act.”

“Iran’s attempts to test the United States and destabilize the Middle East must not go unchecked.”

President Obama’s economic legacy includes:

Americans deserve better. It’s time to replace this law with real health care reform that will actually drive down costs and increase access to care.

Americans deserve better. It’s time to replace this law with real health care reform that will actually drive down costs and increase access to care.

Bottom line: The NDAA funds our troops and their families.

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From the Floor

Stay Informed

Senate Calendar

“Passing the Obamacare repeal resolution means the Republican-led Senate has begun delivering on the promises we made to the American people.”

“Abstaining from today's United Nations vote is one more slap in the face from the Obama administration to our ally, Israel.”

“Providing our troops with the resources they need to keep our nation safe is one of Congress’ most important responsibilities.”

“Today the Senate delivered a victory for the American people with passage of the 21st Century Cures Act.”

“Iran’s attempts to test the United States and destabilize the Middle East must not go unchecked.”

President Obama’s economic legacy includes:

Americans deserve better. It’s time to replace this law with real health care reform that will actually drive down costs and increase access to care.

Americans deserve better. It’s time to replace this law with real health care reform that will actually drive down costs and increase access to care.

Bottom line: The NDAA funds our troops and their families.